A unique ice skating rink opened in Omaha today in a most unlikely site – the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
The outdoor rink, which is part of UNMC’s student plaza, is located between 40th Street and 42nd Street and between Dewey Avenue and Emile Street. It was made possible by a gift from Omaha philanthropists Ruth and Bill Scott.
The ice rink, which is open to the public, will be formally dedicated at a brief ceremony at noon today.
UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., will direct the ceremonies. He’ll be joined by Andrew Klutman, vice president of the UNMC Student Senate, and Rachel Scott, granddaughter of the Scotts.
Paula Turpen, Ph.D., director of research resources for UNMC and a competitive ice skater, will culminate the opening ceremony by being the first skater to take to the ice.
“This will be a tremendous addition to the winter recreation scene in Omaha,” said Dr. Maurer, who came up with the skating rink concept based on his fond memories of the ice rink at Rockefeller Center when he was growing up in New York City. “It will provide countless hours of fun for the entire community.”
The only other outdoor skating rink in Omaha is located at the Heartland of America Park at 8th and Douglas streets, and it is open for only a portion of the winter. The UNMC ice rink will be open daily from Dec. 4 through Feb. 28.
“This is a first-class facility that will be run professionally and with the emphasis on safety,” said Deb Thomas, assistant vice chancellor for business services. “The ice will be maintained every day to provide optimal skating conditions. We want to make this a memorable experience for everybody who comes to skate.”
The ice rink will be a unique addition to Midtown Omaha and will connect UNMC to the community, said John Russell, assistant vice chancellor for human resources. “We don’t have a football team,” he said. “The ice rink and student plaza will provide a wonderful opportunity for people to get to know us better.”
Russell noted that the ice rink can be used all year round. In addition to providing a wonderful area for students to study, he said it will make an ideal setting for concerts, theater productions and other special events.
The rink will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. on weekdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays; and noon to 8 p.m., Sundays. Admission is free for UNMC students; $4 for employees and their relatives; $4 for children age 12 and under; and $6 for adults. Skate rental is $3.
As the state’s only academic health science center, UNMC is on the leading edge of health care. Breakthroughs are possible because hard-working researchers, educators and clinicians are resolved to work together to fuel discovery. In 2009, UNMC’s extramural research support topped $100 million for the first time, resulting in the creation of 3,600 jobs in Nebraska. UNMC’s academic excellence is shown through its award-winning programs, and its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through its commitment to education, research, patient care and outreach, UNMC and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, have established themselves as one of the country’s leading health care centers. UNMC’s physician practice group, UNMC Physicians, includes 550 physicians in 50 specialties and subspecialties who practice primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center. For more information, go to UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.
Fast Facts:
Size: 5,500 square feet
Capacity: 130 skaters
Features:
· UNMC’s new icon will be visible through the surface of the ice.
· Contains 3.3 miles of one-inch plastic piping under the concrete slab. This piping will hold approximately 1,100 gallons of a glycol solution to cool the concrete slab to 20 degrees for making the ice surface.
· Has 121 limestone blocks to form the seating around the ice rink. These blocks are 2 ft. wide, 2 ft. deep and 4 ft. long. They weigh about 2,400 pounds each.
· Has 56 limestone slabs weighing about 490 pounds each forming the steps.
· Has 42-inch high sideboards surrounding the ink.
· The ice rink manager will be located in a white tent to the west of the ice rink. Admission and skate rental will take place at this tent.
· Three large heaters will be located outside the tent to allow people to keep warm.
· Three outdoor restrooms will be located just north of the skating rink – one for women, one for men, and one handicap accessible.
Admission:
· Free for UNMC students with campus photo ID.
· $4 for employees (and their accompanying relatives) of UNMC, The Nebraska Medical Center, UNMC Physicians and Nebraska Pediatrics Practice, Inc., with campus photo ID.
· $4 for children age 12 and under.
· $6 for adults.
Skate rental:
· $3 for each pair of skates.
Open:
· Friday, Dec. 4, 2009 through Sunday, Feb. 28.
· Monday – Friday, 4-8 p.m.
· Saturday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
· Sunday, noon-8 p.m.
Parking:
- Lot 14 (surface lot on 40th street between Dewey & Emile streets) located south of the East Utility Plant and northeast of the ice rink.
- Lot 53 (surface lot on 40th street between Dewey & Emile streets) located on the north side of the East Utility Plant.
- Lot 39 (surface lot on 41st street between Emile & Leavenworth streets) located south of the Sorrell Center and the ice rink.
- Lot 15S (surface lot on 40th street between Dewey & Emile streets) located on the north and east sides of the Student Life Center.
Ruth and Bill Scott:
· Their gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation made the ice rink possible. The ice rink is part of the student plaza and represents the predominant green space on the UNMC campus. The plaza will become the centerpiece of the UNMC campus and will be used all-year round by students, faculty and employees.
· The Scotts’ gift served as the impetus for UNMC to construct the Sorrell Center, which opened in 2008, as well as two buildings currently under construction – the Harold M. and Beverly Maurer Center to house the College of Public Health and the Center for College of Nursing Sciences adjacent to the College of Nursing.
Rink Management:
· John Civitello will be the ice rink manager. He can be reached at 402-889-6168. He is an experienced ice rink manager.
· By charging an admission fee and skate rental fee, UNMC hopes to cover the operations cost of the facility.
Code of skater responsibility:
· All skaters age 12 and under must be supervised at all times by their parent or guardian
- No fast skating
- No pushing or shoving
- No weaving in and out
- No food or drinks on the ice, or on the railings
- Do not sit or climb on the railings
- No street shoes on the ice
- Do not carry a child while skating
- No cameras on the ice surface
- No horseplay
- No foul language
- No inline skating "tricks"
- No refunds
- No “in and outs”
- Skating time may be limited to 1-1.5 hours
- This is a tobacco-free campus
- Please allow staff to assist anyone who is physically-challenged
- Inform the manager on-duty if you need medical assistance
- Any behaviors that endangers or interferes with another patron’s safety or pleasure is strictly forbidden
- No organized sports or sporting equipment
- Skate with the flow of skaters.
- Do not stand in the entrance/exit gates.
- No more than two skaters may join hands
Safety is top priority:
· If any skater fails to abide by this code of conduct, they will be asked to leave with no refund.
· The ice rink area is under audio and video surveillance 24 hours a day.
Liability:
· Individuals are responsible for securing their personal belongings. UNMC is not responsible for lost or stolen articles.
· By purchasing an admission ticket and/or entering the ice rink area, skaters are aware that ice skating involves certain inherent risks which may cause serious injury or death.
· Skaters freely volunteer to participate and accept all known and unknown risks while in the ice rink facility.
· Skaters release the ice rink, its sponsors, operators and equipment suppliers against any claims and all liability for any loss, damage, injury or expense they may incur.